The Press., 1887-11-24
TWO LETTERS mon IOwA.

In determining on the prosperity of a city or town attention is often directed to the postal receipts An increase indicates business prosperity; whereas decrease is interpreted to mean the reverse.
 Looking, now, at the Iowa cities from this standpoint, and the friends of prohi- bition have reason to be firm and stead fast in their position. We know that men are largely influenced in their temperance views by business conscientious. The money consideration is all powerful in this movement. Some There are who persist in the view that business cannot thrive in 6 community where saloons are cast out, and it is most difficult to change their opinions but there are others of con- trary view, and we cite them facts for the strength of their faith. ,,
 Out of eight leading cities in this state but three have increased the volume of their postal business during the past three wears when prohibition has been in force. So much has been said about the great damage to the business of the various cities the enforcement of prohibition has been, that we are surprised to learn that the greatest prosperity has fallen upon those cities where the law has been the most rigidly enforced. Des Moines, which the enemies of the law have tried to make the world believe has been killed by it, leads in the list of prosperous cities Sioux City follows quite closely. In neither of these cities are there open saloons, and both have largely increased their postal receipts. Such river towns as Dubuque, Burlington and Davenport, all saloon cities, show considerable falling off. The following figures show the greatest gain for two prohibition eities, and the greatest loss for two saloon oities as per postal re- ceipts:
 Des Moines, t1ssG ss,154 cssD 1os,5s9 gain IS 75s SsssG Sssfssss Fssa' 4ss s ssss sss loss Ss7
 Our state election is just over, and enough returns are in to satisfy us that there is to be no change in the govern ment of the commonwealth. The repub. licans have again won for the cause of law and order; but it must be conceded that it has been at sacrifice of many who, in auti-prohibition days, went with the party. There is considerable foreign element that is republican in political sentiment, and has worked with the old party steadily up to the coming in of the prohibition is- sue, but now has departed. It cannot fol low and toe up to the prohibition line hence, has fallen entirely out of the ranks. This was to be expected, and the republi- can party is not disappointed, but it has gone right on in most commendable course to protect the home from the raw ages of the saloon. It deserves credit for this; and we believe the time will come when many who are now in political oppo- sition, but of substantially the same tenn perance sentiment, will come and cast in their lot with it.
 Of the methods of the present election I have word to say from personal knowl- edge. Hereabonfs much money and li- quor was used by the party trying to down the friends os ttlepsesent administration. A great railway fentsa helping hand, and 80 the disgraceful work was pushed ahead vigorously. I presume the other party may have used the same methods in other places; but 1 do not know. Politics are indeed bad, and will be until better gen. eration of men is raised up. When that will be no one can tell.
 Corning, Ia., Nov. 10th, 1887. O. P. CHAMPLIN.